Parkland To Vote On Bad Dog Law

April 5, 1995|By ROBERT NOLIN Staff Writer

PARKLAND — The City Commission is ready to put all bad dogs on a short leash.

At its meeting tonight, commissioners will vote on a proposed law to curb the activities of vicious dogs. Under the provisions of the proposed law, dogs that have bitten someone more than once can be banished from the city. Owners who fail to abide by the law can be fined up to $500 a day.

The law targets those dogs that have bitten or endangered a person or another domestic animal on private property. Such dogs must be kept indoors or within an enclosure which children can't enter. The enclosure must also protect the dog from the elements.

If the dog is free of the enclosure, it must be muzzled or on a leash no longer than six feet.

Should a dog bite or attack a person more than once, it will be declared a "public nuisance" and ordered permanently removed from city limits. If a dog owner refuses to comply with the law, the city can initiate criminal charges in County Court or file a lawsuit seeking a judge's order forcing the dog owner to obey the law.

Police dogs are exempt from the proposed ordinance.

Also tonight, the commission will appoint new members to fill vacancies on the following boards: Planning and Zoning, Utility Advisory, Board of Adjustment; Ordinance and Charter Review, and the Parks and Recreation.